Golden Gate Ferry offers free midday rides to Larkspur from San Francisco through August

Golden Gate Ferry officials are rolling out the red carpet to San Francisco, offering free rides to anyone who wants to jump on a midday boat at the city's ferry terminal and ride to Marin to shop, bike or hike.

The Larkspur Ferry Terminal buzzes with activity during the commute hours, but in the middle of the day it is a virtual ghost town despite several arrivals and departures of relatively empty boats.

During the work week, 26 roundtrip commute trips carry about 4,800 riders, the bulk of the service, while 16 midday boats carry roughly 1,100 riders.

With plenty of open seats, ferry officials are trying to get more people on those midday boats by offering the free rides from San Francisco to Marin and back through the end of the month.

"We are looking for ways to increase that midday ridership," said Mary Currie, ferry spokeswoman. "This is a good way for people to come and check out Marin in the middle of the day."

The free tickets can be downloaded on the Golden Gate Bridge district's website: www.goldengate.org/MCMPromo/index.php. A free ticket back to San Francisco can be obtained from any retailer at the Marin Country Mart at Larkspur Landing across the street from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Bicycles are welcome on the ferry so bikers can continue on to visit the area's nearby trails and parklands.

"There has been a lot of growth in San Francisco near the ferry terminal there and it is a segment we want to tap into," said Denis Mulligan, the bridge district's general manager. "It also introduces them to Marin. People can even bring a bike and trek to Mount Tam."

The owner of the Marin Country Mart, James Rosenfield of Ross, said the promotion has gone well so far.

"It's an interesting promotion, that's for sure," Rosenfield said. "We are hearing nice things about people who are coming in. The boat ride is fun, it's just 25 minutes and it gets you into a whole different space. We feel we are becoming a destination."

The San Francisco-to-Larkspur free rides are valid through weekday departures between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as one weekend departure at 12:40 p.m. Larkspur-to-San Francisco weekday free departures are between 10:10 a.m. and 8:50 p.m., along with the 4:45 p.m. weekend ferry.

The quiet midday activity is in stark contrast to the commute hours, when the ferries and parking lot in Larkspur is full. Ferry officials are expected to begin charging up to $5 beginning in January to park there. The lot's stall spaces have been numbered in anticipation of a fee system. Parking is now free.

Free shuttle service from the Ross Valley will be rolled out next month to take pressure off the terminal's lot.

The San Francisco-to-Larkspur free rides are valid through weekday departures between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., as well as one weekend departure at 12:40 p.m. Larkspur-to-San Francisco weekday free departures are between 10:10 a.m. and 8:50 p.m., along with the 4:45 p.m. weekend ferry.